No legitimacy: A study of private sector sanitation development in the Global South

Abstract

What is needed for the private sector to successfully establish itself as a key player in delivering sustainable sanitation in the Global South? The present paper aims to offer some answers to this through the case of Peepoople AB, a company delivering a single-use biodegradable toilet bag in informal settlements. The company aimed to but failed in combining sustainable development of sanitation and financial gain for investors. We suggest that explanations for the failure can be found in the interaction between the company and the development– and aid organisations already involved in sanitation development. Through Strategic Niche Management, we look at whether the company managed to create relevant social networks, expectation dynamics and learning processes. The company gained legitimacy with end users, but failed to gain legitimacy in the development sector as it did not prioritise the kind of learning and competence considered relevant in the sector.

Keywords

sanitation; development; poverty; niche innovation; Kenya; epistemic community

Published in

Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions
2021, volume: 38, pages: 68-78

SLU Authors

• Fischer, Klara

  • Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Kokko, Suvi

  • Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Mcconville, Jennifer

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Global goals (SDG)

SDG4 Quality education
SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities
SDG17 Partnerships for the goals

UKÄ Subject classification

Economics

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2020.11.006

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/109116